Corruption in the fYR of Macedonia:

results from the regional corruption survey Brussels, 18 October 2011

Statistics and Survey Section, UNODC

With funding from

the European Union

Western Balkan corruption surveys: A major undertaking

• Albania

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Croatia

• Kosovo

• Montenegro

• Serbia

• the fYR of Macedonia

28,000 persons interviewed across the region

3,500 persons interviewed in the fYR of Macedonia

Output: 1 Regional Report, 7 National Reports

The survey - A consultative process

• Priority was given to National Statistical Offices

• Involvement of National Anti-Corruption authorities

• Stakeholder meetings with government agencies and NGOs

• Steering group for survey supervision

The survey: Methodological considerations

Advantages

• Focus on experience of corruption

• Specific and policy-relevant information

• Comparability at international level (but no ranking)

• Information on positions at risk and vulnerable groups

Disadvantages

• Covers mainly administrative corruption

• Does not cover ‘grand’ (political) corruption

Corruption: a major concern in the fYR of Macedonia

% considering [ this issue ] as the most important in the country

Prevalence of bribery

6.3 %: percent of adult population* who paid a bribe in last 12 months

* The prevalence rate of bribery is measured as % bribe payers among the adult (18-64 years) population ‘at risk’ = with contact to the public administration

Number of times and size of bribes paid

• 6.3% paid at least once in the past year (2010)

• Of those who paid a bribe, two thirds paid more than once

• On average bribe-payers paid around 6 bribes per year

• Average amount of bribes paid is 470 EURO

• This is equivalent to 1,212 EURO in PPP

• There are significant variations in prevalence rates, average

times paid + average amounts in the 8 statistical regions in MAC

• Few differences between urban/rural areas, men pay bribes

more frequently than women

Regional patterns of bribery

MAC has relatively low prevalence but relatively high average number of bribes paid

Economic impact on households

MAC has the highest regional average amount of bribes paid, both in absolute EUR and

EUR/PPP. As a result of this, the economic impact/capita is considerable.

Bribe types

In over 50%, cash or other valuables are asked, in 20% other goods/ services exchanged.

The mechanism of bribery

In around 32% of cases, citizen makes offer, in over 60% bribe is requested explicitly/implicitly

The purpose of bribery

The main declared purpose of bribes is to ‘speed up procedures’ or to finalize procedures.

Positions that receive most of the bribes

These are % of all bribe payers, who paid to the selected officials (multiple bribes: >

100%). Note: doctors/police officers also have high number of interactions with public.

Positions that are most at risk

Prevalence rates of bribes for persons who had at least one contact with such officials.

Note: interactions with customs/ judiciary are less frequent but prevalence is high.

Bribery and reporting to authorities

• Less than 1% of

bribe-payers report

their experience to

the authorities.

• Not due to fear of

reprisals or

insufficient

knowledge.

• There is a

widespread feeling

that nobody would

care

To whom would you report a bribery experience?

Only 17% would report a bribery experience to the Anti-corruption body and only 2.2%

would report it to an anti-corruption NGO.

Measuring corruption, some results

• It is possible to provide some evidence on corruption, beyond

perceptions

• No scoring or ranking exercise, but evidence-based information

to support policies

• The reports provide a detailed picture on bribery and other

corruption practices (recruitment in public sector and vote buying

are covered in report)

• The report also provides victimization data on other crimes

From evidence, actions at different levels:

• Assess and review administrative procedures and service

delivery

• Improve reporting channels

• Provide alternative, low-threshold reporting options

• Awareness campaign

• Address specific sectors/positions at risk as a priority matter

THANK YOU for your attention!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Corruption in the fYR of Macedonia:

results from the regional corruption survey Brussels, 18 October 2011